“The Mongol conquest marked the first time foreigners had ruled over all of China. Genghis Khan’s grandson, Kublai Khan, set up the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368). At his capital at Beijing, high officials were Mongols. Yet, he retained the Confucian Chinese bureaucracy. He did not make great changes in Chinese governmental structure. However, he opened China to contacts with the world at large. Frequent Middle Eastern and European visitors included Christian missionaries and traders.”

Questions:

What did the Mongol conquest of China mark? _____________________________________________________________________

Who was Kublai Khan? _____________________________________________________________________

Who served as high officials? _____________________________________________________________________

What did Kublai Khan retain or keep? _____________________________________________________________________

When Kublai Khan opened China to the world at large, who frequently visited China? _____________________________________________________________________

“Economic problems and resentment of the foreign dominance of Kublai Khan’s successors led to a rebellion in 1368. The Chinese overthrew the Yuan Dynasty and set up the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).”

Questions:

What led to a rebellion against Kublai Khan’s successors? ___________________________________________________________________

Who overthrew the Yuan Dynasty? ___________________________________________________________________

What dynasty followed the Yuan Dynasty? ___________________________________________________________________

“The Mongols’ discipline and control over a vast area strengthened trade between Asia and the Middle East and Europe. It reestablished the Silk Route, and brought more travel and wealth. Two famous traveler-explorers in the region were the Italian Marco Polo (1254-1324) and the Arab Ibn Battuta (1304-1368).”

Questions:

What was strengthened during the Mongol rule? ________________________________________________________________________

What did the Mongols reestablish? ________________________________________________________________________

Which famous traveler-explorers lived during the reign of the Mongols? ________________________________________________________________________

“Marco Polo of Venice wrote of his adventures as a merchant in Asia with his father and uncle. In 1271, they crossed the Mongol khanates of Central Asia along the old Silk Route. For 17 years, they served at Kublai Khan’s court. Marco Polo’s tales aroused Western interest in trade with Asia.”

Questions:

Who was Marco Polo? ____________________________________________________________________

What did Marco Polo travel? ____________________________________________________________________

Where did Marco Polo serve? ____________________________________________________________________

What did Marco Polo’s tales arouse Western interest in? ____________________________________________________________________

“The security of Mongol rule also allowed Ibn Battuta to travel through Central and South Asia. Between 1325 and 1354, he is said to have traveled a remarkable 75,000 miles. He also journeyed to North and East Africa, India, and the Middle East. His tales expanded knowledge of the world beyond Europe and the Middle East.”

Questions:

What did the security of Mongol rule allow Ibn Battuta to do? __________________________________________________________________

How many miles did Ibn Battuta travel between 1325 and 1354? __________________________________________________________________

Where did Ibn Battuta travel? __________________________________________________________________

What was an effect of Ibn Battuta’s travels? __________________________________________________________________